Jacket flashing

ABSTRACT

A jacket flashing assembly to close openings which are required in the outer jacket of an insulated tank car to permit fittings to protrude through the jacket. The jacket flashing assembly includes a resilient disc having an opening in the central area thereof, of somewhat lesser dimension than the outside dimension of the fitting associated therewith, such that distortion of the opening during installation of the assembly about the fitting causes the central area of the disc to elliptically engage the fitting, forming a watershedding joint therebetween. The central area of the disc is bonded to the fitting and the outer periphery of the disc is bonded to the outer jacket. A similar type flashing is disclosed for use to close the opening in the jacket which receives the bolster pipe and bolster web.

4] JACKET FLASHING 75 Inventor: Edwin s. Carlson, Hammond, Ind.

[73] Assignee: Union Tank Car Company, Chicago,

Ill.

22 Filed: June 4, 1971 211 'Appl. No.: 150,011

[52] US. Cl. 105/358, 220/14, 280/5 G,

296/31 P [51] Int. Cl. B611! 5/00 [58] Field ofSearch 296/31P; 220/14;

[56 v References Cited 'UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,739,729 June 19, 1973Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Richard A.Bertsch Attorney-Charles M. Kaplan and Joel E. Siegel [57] ABSTRACT Ajacket flashing assembly to close openings which are required in theouter jacket of an insulated tank car to permit fittings to protrudethrough the jacket. The jacket flashing assembly includes a resilientdisc having an opening in the central area thereof, of somewhat lesserdimension than the outside dimension of the fit-- A similar typeflashing is disclosed for use to close the opening in the jacketwhich'receives the bolster pipe and bolster web.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 3,547,047 l2/l970' Needham.... los/sss'1,392,204 9/1921 Nichols 220/14 3,446,387' 511009v 'Webb 220/143,478,922 ll/l969 Mole 220/8612 A? If 26 Patented June 19, 19733,739,729

JACKET FLASHING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to aninsulated tank car and more particularly to jacket flashings to closeopenings which are required in the outer jacket to permit fittings toprotrude through the jacket.

The invention is directed to improvements in insulated tank cars thatare designed to effect the handling and transportation of commoditieswhich are to be maintained in the tank cars under other than ambienttemperature conditions (e.g., under either high or low temperatureconditions). Such insulated tank cars generally include an elongated andfully enclosed commodity confining tank shell that is an integral andstructurally stable assembly. A pair of railroad car body bolster andstub sill assemblies are joined to the oppositely disposed ends of thetank shell so as to effect the necessary support therefor. The tankshell is preferably confined within an outer jacket or housing thatforms an enclosure for and effects the confinement of an insulatinglayer that substantially entirely surrounds the tank shell except atthose few locations whereat the tank is joined to portions of the bodybolster and stub sill assemblies. Typically, such a tank car includesfittings such as a manway nozzle, a top unloading nozzle, a safety ventor valve located on the top surface of the car, and a bottom outlet.

These fittings provide communication between the interior of the tankshell and the exterior of the car. They are structurally attached to thetank shell and extend upwardly through openings in the outer jacket.Jacket flashings are provided to close these openings in the jacket.Because of extreme temperature differentials between the tank shell andouter jacket and because the light weight jacket is not rigid andimmobile the flashing design must permit relative movement between thetank shell and the outer jacket. Heretofore, a steel flashing, having anopening therein dimensioned slightly larger than the dimensions of thefitting, was affixed to the outer periphery of the fitting by a costlyfillet weld while the outer edges were free to slide on the jacketsurface. The fit of these free edges usually deteriorates so that airand water frequently enters into the area between the jacket and tankshell causing reduce thermal performance of the insulation and corrosionof the jacket.

The body bolsters include a bolster pipe and a bolster web which extendthrough openings in the outer jacket and are secured to the tank shell.Similar type jacket flashings, as described above, have heretoforelikewise been provided, resulting in the same performance problems.

SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION ists between the temperature of the tank shelland the temperature of the outer jacket.

A further object is to provide aflexible jacket flashing of theaforedescribed type which is permanently bonded to the outer jacket andthe protruding fitting to prevent air and water from entering throughthe openings in the outer jacket.

A still further object is to provide a flexible jacket flashing of theaforedescribed type which is inexpensive to fabricate and install.

The jacket flashing assembly of the present invention includes aresilient disc having an opening in the central area thereof, ofsomewhat lesser dimension than the outside dimension of the fittingassociated therewith, such that distortion of the opening duringinstallation of the assembly about the fitting causes the central areaof the disc to elliptically engage the fitting forming a watersheddingjoint therebetween. The central area of the disc is bonded to thefitting and the outer periphery of the disc is bonded to the outerjacket. A similar type flashing is disclosed for use to close theopening in the outer jacket which receives the bolster pipe and bolsterweb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and features of theinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as thedisclosure is made in the following description of a preferredembodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a tank car illustratingthe jacket flashing assembly of the present invention in conjunctionwith a top unloading nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the jacket flashing prior to installation;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of one-half of a tank car bolsterconstruction illustrating a second jacket flashing embodiment associatedtherewith;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the bolster and jacket flashing ofFIG. 3 with certain lines removed for clarity; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, andparticularly FIG. I, a portion of a broadly conventional insulatedrailway tank car is illustrated generally at 10. Tank car 10 includes anelongated commodity confining tank shell I l, which is an integral,structurally stable and fully enclosed cylindrical unit that issupported at the opposite ends thereof by conventional body bolster andstub sill assemblies. Tank shell 11 is, in a conventional manner,surrounded by an outer housing or jacket 12 so as to define aninsulation receiving and confining region 14 substantially entirelyaround the external surface of the tank shell. As with previousinsulated tank car constructions, the characteristics of the insulationused to fill region 14 are dictated by the nature of the commodityconfined within the tank 11 and the temperature conditions that aresought to be maintained in the interval of time between the loading andunloading of the commodity.

Suitable openings are formed in shell 11 and jacket 12 to receivefittings such as a manway nozzle, a bottom outlet, a top unloadingnozzle, and a safety vent or taken along line 55 of valve. As seen inFIG. 1, a top unloading nozzle 15, having a nozzle cover 18 associatedtherewith, is received through openings 16 and 17, in shell 11 andjacket 12 respectively. Opening 16 has a diameter substantially equal tothe diameter of the outer periphery of nozzle and opening 17 has adiameter greater than the diameter of the outer periphery of nozzle 15resulting in an annular space 19 between the side surface of nozzle 15and the periphery of opening 17. Nozzle 15 is rigidly attached to shell11 at opening 16 in a suitable manner as by welding. Because of extremetemperature differentials between shell 11 and jacket 12 relativemovement between shell 11 and jacket 12 results preventing nozzle 15from being rigidly attached to jacket 12. The jacket flashing assembly20 of the present invention is directed to this problem.

Jacket flashing assembly 20 includes a disc shape member 22, as seen inFIG. 2, of thin resilient material having an outer diameter greater thanthe diameter of opening 17. Disc 22 has a round opening 24 therein,which is of less diameter that the outside diameter of nozzle 15 onwhich the disc is adapted to be positioned. Disc 22 is installed inplace closing off annular space 19, by initially positioning disc 22above nozzle 15 such that opening 24 is in vertical alignment with theperiphery of nozzle 15. Disc 22 is than forced downward towards jacket12 such that distortion of central portion 25 of disc 22 results,causing central portion 25 to elliptically engage the surface of nozzle15. Disc 22 is forced downward until outer portion 26 is in contact withthe upper surface of jacket 12. Central portion 25 is secured to thesurface of nozzle 15 engaged thereby in a suitable manner, such as bycontact cement 27, and outer portion 26 is secured to the outer surfaceof jacket 12 in contact therewith, in a suitable manner, such as bycontact cement 28.

Jacket flashing assembly 20 results in a watershedding joint betweennozzle 15 and jacket 12 preventing water and air from entering region 14through annular space 19 and thus minimizes the reduction in thermalperformance of the insulation adjacent nozzle 15. Disc 22, being of aflexible material, compensates for the differential thermal expansionbetween shell 11 and jacket 12 without effecting the sealing performanceof flashing assembly 20. It will be understood that the presentinvention contemplates the construction of disc 22 out of variousflexible materials known in the art, such as elastomers. Further, otherconventional securing means may be substituted for contact cement joints27 and 28.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a section of a body bolster construction 30 of thetype disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,027, assigned to the same assigneeas the present invention. Each body bolster section 30 includes abolster saddle plate 32 contoured to the radius of curvature of shell1 1. Extending along the bottom of shell 11, and also contoured to itsradius, is a bottom plate 34. Bottom plate 34 is welded to the bottom ofshell 11 along its axis and also to the lower end of the bolster saddleplate 32. Extending from bottom plate 34 is a heavy steel draft sillmember 36 having a flange 38 which defines the lower-inner extremity ofeach bolster section 30.

Extending downwardly from adjacent the upper end of bolster plate 32,and inclined slightly outwardly, is a bolster pipe 40. Bolster pipe 40extends through an opening 42 in jacket 12 having a dimension greaterthat the outer dimension of pipe 40 thus resulting in an annular space44 between pipe 40 and jacket 12. Pipe 40 extends from bolster plate 32through opening 42 to a bolster base plate 46 which spans the distancebetween flange 38 and the lower end of pipe 40. Base plate 46 isconnected to flange 38 by a weld plate 48. A stiffener plate 49 iswelded along its lower edge to base plate 46 and along its upper edge tobolster plate 32. The area between the stiffener plate 49, the bolsterpipe 40, and the bolster saddle plate 32, as well as the base plate 46in each bolster section is occupied by a single thickness steel web 50.Web 50 extends through an elongated opening 52 in jacket 12 which is ofa greater dimension that the thickness of web 50 resulting in a pair ofelongated slots 54, one on each side of web 50, extending between thestiffener plate 49 and the bolster pipe 40. A bolster flashing 56,secured to jacket 12, is provided as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A second embodiment of the jacket flashing assembly of the presentinvention, illustrated at 60 in FIGS. 3-5 is provided to close off slots54 and annular space 44 in jacket 12. Flashing assembly 60 comprises aflashing member 62, of thin resilient material, having a first sealingsection 64 to close off slots 54 and a second sealing section 66 toclose off annular space 44. Section 64 includes a pair of flathorizontal portions 67 spaced lengthwise from each other by a distanceapproximately equal to the thickness of web 50. The width of portions 67is greater than the width of slots 54 and the length of portions 67 isapproximately equal to the length of slots 54. A pair of vertical flangeportions 68 are formed integral with the adjacent inner edges ofportions 67 and extend downward therefrom, as seen in FIG. 5. Section 66includes a horizontal semicircular disc portion 69 integral with theouter edges of portions 67 of section 64 to form a horseshoe shapedmember therewith. An opening 70, of slightly less diameter than bolsterpipe 40, is formed through sections 64 and 66. The dimensions betweenthe periphery of opening 70 and the outer edges of sections 64 and 66are greater than the dimensions between the outer periphery of pipe 40and the periphery of opening 42.

Flashing member 62 is installed in place closing off slots 54 andannular space 44 in jacket 12, by positioning member 62 adjacent jacket12, contoured to its radius, such that portions 67 close off slots 54and bolster pipe 40 passes through opening 70. Flange portions 68sandwich web 50 therebetween and since opening 70 is dimensioned lessthan pipe 40 a portion 72 adjacent the periphery of opening 70elliptically engages the surface of pipe 40. An outer portion 74 of discportion 69 and portions 67 close off annular space 44. Flange portions68 and portion 72 are secured to web 50 and pipe 40 respectively in asuitable manner, such as by contact cement 76, and portions 67 and 74are secured to the outer surface of jacket 12 in contact therewith, in asuitable manner, such as by contact cement 78. Although member 62 isillustrated and disclosed as being of one piece construction, it iscontemplated that member 62 may be divided into a plurality of pieces tofacilitate installation.

Jacket flashing assembly 60 results in a watershedding joint between web50 and bolster pipe 40, of bolster construction 30 and jacket 12preventing water and air from entering region 14 through slots 54 andannular space 44, and thus minimizes the reduction in thermalperformance of the insulation adjacent bolster construction 30. Member62, being of flexible material, compensates for the differential thermalexpansion between shell 11 and jacket 12 without effecting the sealingperformance of flashing assembly 60. It will be understood that thepresent invention contemplates the construction of member 62 out ofvarious flexible materials known in the art, such as elastomers.Further, other conventional securing means may be substituted forcontact cement joints.

While the embodiments described herein are at present considered to bepreferred, it will be understood that various modifications andimprovements may be made therein and it is intended to cover in theappended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. in an insulated railroad tank car for handling and transportingmaterials under other than ambient temperature conditions and whereinthe tank car includes an elongated and enclosed commodity confining tankshell, an outer jacket that forms an enclosure for and effects theconfinement of an insulating layer that substantially surrounds saidtank shell, and a pair of railroad car body bolsters and stub sillassemblies for supporting the oppositely disposed ends of said tankshell; an improved weather tight jacket flashing assembly to closeopenings in said jacket which are required to permit a substantiallyvertical bolster pipe and a substantially transverse bolster web toprotrude through said jacket, comprising:

a. a flashing member of resilient material;

b. said flashing member having a first sealing section and a secondsealing section;

c. said first sealing section having a pair of substantially horizontalportions and a pair of substantially vertical portions, said horizontalportions being secured to said outer jacket adjacent the periphery ofthe opening in said jacket to receive said bolster web, said verticalportions being secured to opposite sides of said bolster web so as toeffectively close off said bolster web receiving opening; and

d. said second sealing section having an opening in the central areathereof of somewhat lesser dimension that the outside dimension of saidbolster pipe such that distortion of said opening during installation ofsaid second sealing section about said bolster pipe causes said centralportion of said second sealing section to elliptically engage saidbolster pipe forming a watershedding joint therebetween, said centralarea being secured to said bolster pipe and the outer periphery of saidsecond section being secured to said outer jacket adjacent the peripheryof the opening receiving said bolster pipe.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said horizontal portions beingsecured to said outer jacket and said vertical positions being securedto said bolster web by contact cement.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said central area being secured tosaid bolster pipe and the outer periphery of said second section beingsecured to said outer jacket by contact cement.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said flashing member includes aplurality of separate pieces to facilitate installation.

1. In an insulated railroad tank car for handling and transportingmaterials under other than ambient temperature conditions and whereinthe tank car includes an elongated and enclosed commodity confining tankshell, an outer jacket that forms an enclosure for and effecTs theconfinement of an insulating layer that substantially surrounds saidtank shell, and a pair of railroad car body bolsters and stub sillassemblies for supporting the oppositely disposed ends of said tankshell; an improved weather tight jacket flashing assembly to closeopenings in said jacket which are required to permit a substantiallyvertical bolster pipe and a substantially transverse bolster web toprotrude through said jacket, comprising: a. a flashing member ofresilient material; b. said flashing member having a first sealingsection and a second sealing section; c. said first sealing sectionhaving a pair of substantially horizontal portions and a pair ofsubstantially vertical portions, said horizontal portions being securedto said outer jacket adjacent the periphery of the opening in saidjacket to receive said bolster web, said vertical portions being securedto opposite sides of said bolster web so as to effectively close offsaid bolster web receiving opening; and d. said second sealing sectionhaving an opening in the central area thereof of somewhat lesserdimension that the outside dimension of said bolster pipe such thatdistortion of said opening during installation of said second sealingsection about said bolster pipe causes said central portion of saidsecond sealing section to elliptically engage said bolster pipe forminga watershedding joint therebetween, said central area being secured tosaid bolster pipe and the outer periphery of said second section beingsecured to said outer jacket adjacent the periphery of the openingreceiving said bolster pipe.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein saidhorizontal portions being secured to said outer jacket and said verticalpositions being secured to said bolster web by contact cement.
 3. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said central area being secured to saidbolster pipe and the outer periphery of said second section beingsecured to said outer jacket by contact cement.
 4. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein said flashing member includes a plurality of separatepieces to facilitate installation.